Connection block with bar-adapting trenches for adapting and holding framing bars at fixed orientations

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses container that is structured with framing bars linked with mesh between the framing bars. The container further includes framing bar connectors and each of the framing bar connectors connecting and holding each of the framing bars at a fixed orientation relative to another interconnected framing bar connected through each of the framing bar connectors. In a specific containing apparatus, each of the framing bar connectors includes a first U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a first framing bar and at least a second U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a second framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to the first framing bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to apparatus and configuration to manufacture and assemble containing/supporting/holding apparatuses. More particularly, this invention relates to a new and improved methods and configurations to manufacture and assemble apparatuses to provide the containing/supporting/holding functions by implementing a connecting and fixing blocks with adapting trenches for holding and securely locking framing bars at fixed orientations.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The art of manufacturing and assembling apparatuses to provide containing/supporting/holding functions in daily environment is still faced with the difficulties that such apparatuses are bulky, difficult to assemble and disassemble, and often does not provide secure and reliable structural integrity.

Assemblies implemented with corner connectors and beams are disclosed in variety of structures. For example, Router et al. disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,155 an apparatus for control devices which can be assembled from a connection flange or connection rotary joint, support beam sections, angle units, or intermediate joints, which can be connected with a wall or a machine body and a coupling unit which can be connected with the control device. The support beam sections have an essentially U-shaped base profile section and a closing cover profile section. The base profile section, with a separating bar positioned parallel to its bar, is divided into a support part constructed as a closed hollow profile and an open U-shaped mounting part turned away from the bar. In the support part and in the mounting part, longitudinally directed and penetrating connecting bars are integrally formed with screw mountings. The angle comprising a corner connector and a covering cap creates, for such suspension apparatus, a rigid, highly-stressable corner connector between support beam sections placed perpendicular to one another. When the covering cap is removed, the connection lines are easily conducted, and can then be covered by means of the covering cap.

The structure as that shown by Reuter et al. as that shown in FIG. 1A, however, are generally to complicate and bulky for implementation in holding, supporting and containing apparatuses typically used in daily life.

Simon et al. disclose in another U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,263 a structure and assembly configuration for constructing stable and secure cabinet. The cabinet comprises a frame of vertical, horizontal and transverse sectional bars interconnected by means of corner connectors. In order to obtain a particularly stable and secure cabinet, which also allows an extremely efficient manufacture and assembly, each corner connector is provided with through holes and guide elements constructed in the space coordinate direction for frontal reception and for the easy, reliable fixing of a sectional bar. In addition, each corner connector has a reception area for fixing a base. The base corner parts are preferably made from a one-piece, metallic flat material. However, as that shown in FIG. 1B, such corner connectors and bars are engaged and attached to each other with screws and locking mechanism that are inconvenient and time consuming for assembling and disassembling apparatuses in daily use.

Carlsson discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,757 a picture frame that employs a corner connector to hold and fix the framing bars. However, as that shown in FIG. 1C, the corner connector has quite complicate structural configuration and would be costly to manufacture due to the geometrical arrangements for the purpose of fitting the framing bars.

Therefore, a need still exists in the art of manufacturing and assembling apparatuses to provide improved configuration and assembling methods such that the above discussed difficulties and limitations can be resolved.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new configurations and method to conveniently and flexibly ship and assemble apparatuses employed to provide daily utility functions to contain, hold or support varieties of items at lower costs with long term reliable operations such that the aforementioned limitations and difficulties encountered in the prior art can therefore be overcome.

Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved configuration and method to assemble an apparatus to perform the daily functions of containing, holding, or supporting varieties of item by employing corner connectors. The corner connectors are applied to securely holding framing bars implemented as structure frames to support and construct a containing/holding/supporting apparatus. The framing-bars can be conveniently assembled and disassembled from the corner connectors such that the disassembled framing bars and the corner connectors can be easily and flexibly shipped and assembled. The corner connector and the framing bars can be manufactured with different materials and shapes and sizes depending on different kinds of application to assure reliable and long-term operation of the assembled apparatus.

Briefly this invention discloses a method for assembling an apparatus. The method includes a step of connecting and securely holding a plurality of framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to one another by detachably adapting each the framing bars to a framing-bar connector. In a preferred embodiment, the step of detachably adapting the framing bar to a framing bar connector further includes a step of securely adapting each of the framing bars to a bar adapting trench in the framing bar connector for securely holding the framing bars at fixed orientation relative to one another. In another preferred embodiment, the method further includes a step of detaching each of the framing bars from the framing bar connectors for conveniently shipping the apparatus as a disassembled package. In another preferred embodiment, the step of detachably adapting each of the plurality of framing bar to a bar adapting trench further includes a step of forming a ridge on a trench-wall of a U-shaped bar adapting trench for engaging an edge of the framing bar adapted therein for preventing the framing bar from inadvertently removed from the U-shaped bar adapting trench. In another preferred embodiment, the step of detachably adapting each of the plurality of framing bar to a U-shaped trench further includes a step detachably adapting at least one of the framing bar as a V-shaped framing bar including a sheet adapting opening for adapting a thin-layer of material therein whereby the V-shaped framing bar is engaged and pressed by two sidewalls of the U-shaped trench for pressing onto the thin-layer material for securely fixing the thin-layer material in the sheet adapting opening of the V-shaped framing bar. In another preferred embodiment, the method further includes a step of securely adapting and holding the thin-layer material by employing at least two of the V-shaped framing bar detachably adapting in the U-shaped trench.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention further discloses a container that is structured with framing bars linked with mesh between the framing bars. The container further includes framing bar connectors and each of the framing bar connectors connecting and holding each of the framing bars at a fixed orientation relative to another interconnected framing bar connected through each of the framing bar connectors. In a preferred embodiment, each of the framing bar connectors comprising a first U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a first framing bar and at least a second U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a second framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to the first framing bar. In another preferred embodiment, each of the framing bars is structured to disconnect from the framing bar connectors for shipping the container as a package comprising disconnected framing bars linked by the mesh. In another preferred embodiment, each of the framing bar connectors comprising a first U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a first framing bar and at least a second U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a second framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to the first framing bar wherein the first and second U-shaped trenches further having a ridge on each of the trench walls for securely adapting and holding the framing bars therein

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the various drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C show different structural configurations as that implemented in prior art apparatuses.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a corner connector of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the corner connector of FIG. 1 holding and fixing multiple framing bars.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a different corner connector holding and fixing framing bars.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of two containing apparatuses of this invention structured with framing bars held and fixed by framing bar connectors with side and bottom surfaces surrounded by nets or meshes extended between the framing bars.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a corner connector that has open trenches for adapting framing bars.

FIG. 6B shows the v-shaped framing bar that has a adapting trench for adapting mesh therein.

FIG. 6C then illustrates the V-shaped framing bar inserted into one of the open trenches with the hemisphere ridge engages the edge of the V-shaped framing bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a corner connector 100 of this invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the corner connector 100 includes four interconnected adapting and holding trenches 110-1, to 110-4 configured with fixed orientation relative to each other, e.g., perpendicular to each other on a same horizontal plane. The wall surface of the trenches 110-1 to 110-4 further includes ridges of different shapes, e.g., hemisphere ridge 120-1 and platform ridge 120-2.

Referring to FIG. 3 for corner connector 100 to adapt and hold multiple framing bars 130-1 to 130-6 inserted into the trenches 110-1 to 110-4 and held securely therein. These framing bars 130-1 to 130-6 when inserted into the trenches 110-1 to 110-4 are prevented form angular movement by the platform ridge 120-2 and from accidentally slipping out as the hemisphere ridges 120-1 are pressed onto these framing bars.

Referring to FIG. 4 for another corner connector 150 for adapting and securely holding four framing bars 160-1 to 160-4. The platform ridges inside side the adapting and holding trenches 155-1 and 155-2 keep the framing bars fixed along mutually perpendicular directions, e.g., 160-1 relative to 160-2 and 160-3 perpendicular to 160-4. The trenches 155-1 and 115-2 further includes hemisphere ridges formed along the wall surface of the trenches to press onto the framing bars 160-1 to 160-4 to prevent these framing bars from accidentally slipping out from the adapting and holding trenches 155-1 and 155-2.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views for showing two containing apparatuses 200 and 250 respectively. The containing apparatus 200 is formed by employing four three-leg corner connectors 210 and four four-leg corner connectors 220 for connecting and fixing framing bars 230 at fixed orientations. The containing apparatus 200 further includes meshes 240 extended between the framing bars. Referring to FIG. 4B for the containing apparatus 250 that includes two containing chambers 260-1 and 260-2 interconnected via four interconnecting corner connectors 270. The containing chambers further are structured by framing bars 280 interconnected and fixed by multiple corner connectors 290. The two chamber containing apparatuses further includes nets or meshes 295 extended between the framing bars 280 surrounding and bottom and four side surfaces surrounding the containing chambers 260-1 and 260-2.

Referring to FIG. 6A for a side perspective view of a corner connector 290 that has open trenches 275 for adapting framing bars 280. There are hemisphere ridges 285 on the walls of the open trenches 275. FIG. 6B shows that the v-shaped framing bar 280 that has a adapting trench for adapting mesh 295 therein. FIG. 6C then illustrates the V-shaped framing bar 280 inserted into one of the open trenches 275. The hemisphere ridge 285 engages the edge of the V-shaped framing bar 285. Furthermore, the side surfaces of the V-shaped framing bar 280 are engaged to and pushed by the sidewalls of the open trenches 275 to press onto the mesh 295. The mesh 295 is therefore adapted in the adapting trench of the framing bar 280 and is securely pressed on and stays inside the opening trench of the framing bar 280.

According to above descriptions, this invention discloses a shipping package that is provided for assembling into an apparatus. The shipping package includes a plurality of framing bars and framing bar connectors provided for connecting and securely holding the plurality of framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to one another by detachably adapting each the framing bars to aid plurality of framing-bar connectors. In a preferred embodiment, each of the framing bar connectors further including at least a U-shaped adapting trench for detachably adapting and securely holding the framing bars at fixed orientation relative to one another. In a preferred embodiment, at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding the thin layer material therein. In another preferred embodiment, the shipping package further includes at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar is a V-shaped framing bar and includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding the thin layer material therein whereby the V-shaped framing bar is engaged and pressed by two sidewalls of the U-shaped trench for pressing onto the thin-layer material for securely fixing the thin-layer material in the sheet adapting opening of the V-shaped framing bar. In another preferred embodiment, at least a trench wall of the U-shaped trench having a ridge for engaging an edge of the framing bar adapted therein for preventing the framing bar from inadvertently removed from the U-shaped trench.

According to FIGS. 1 to 6, this invention further discloses an assembled apparatus. The assembled apparatus includes a plurality of framing bars and framing bar connectors wherein the framing bars are detachably adapted in and securely held by a plurality of framing bar connectors whereby the framing bars are held at a fixed orientation relative to one another. In another preferred embodiment, each of the framing bar connectors further including at least a U-shaped adapting trench for detachably adapting and securely holding the framing bars at the fixed orientation relative to one another. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding the thin layer material therein. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus further includes at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar is a V-shaped framing bar and includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding the thin layer material therein whereby the V-shaped framing bar is engaged and pressed by two sidewalls of the U-shaped trench for pressing onto the thin-layer material for securely fixing the thin-layer material in the sheet adapting opening of the V-shaped framing bar. In another preferred embodiment, at least a trench wall of the U-shaped trench having a ridge for engaging an edge of the framing bar adapted therein for preventing the framing bar from inadvertently removed from the U-shaped trench.

This invention further discloses a framing bar connector that includes at least two U-shaped adapting trenches for detachably adapting and securely holding at least two framing bars at fixed orientations relative to one another.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various alternations and modifications will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all alternations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A container structured with framing bars linked with mesh between said framing bars, said container further comprising: framing bar connectors wherein each of said framing bar connectors connecting and holding each of said framing bars at a fixed orientation relative to another interconnected framing bar connected through each of said framing bar connectors.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein: each of said framing bar connectors comprising a first U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a first framing bar and at least a second U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a second framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to said first framing bar.
 3. The container of claim 1 wherein: each of said framing bars is structured to disconnect from said framing bar connectors for shipping said container as a package comprising disconnected framing bars linked by said mesh.
 4. The container of claim 1 wherein: each of said framing bar connectors comprising a first U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a first framing bar and at least a second U-shaped trench for adapting and holding a second framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to said first framing bar wherein said first and second U-shaped trenches further having a ridge on each of said trench walls for securely adapting and holding said framing bars therein.
 5. The container of claim 1 wherein: at least one of said framing bars is a V-shaped bar having an adapting trench for adapting a container mesh therein wherein two outer surfaces of said V-shaped framing bar are engaged and pressed by sidewalls of said U-shaped trench for pressed onto said mesh for securely fixing said mesh in said adapting trench of said V-shaped framing bar.
 6. The container of claim 1 wherein: at least one of sidewalls of U-shaped trenches further comprising a ridge for engaging an edge of said framing bar for fixing said framing bar securely in said U-shaped trench.
 7. A method for assembling an apparatus comprising: connecting and securely holding a plurality of framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to one another by detachably adapting each said framing bars to a framing-bar connector.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein: said step of detachably adapting said framing bar to a framing bar connector further comprising a step of securely adapting each of said framing bars to a bar adapting trench in said framing bar connector for securely holding said framing bars at fixed orientation relative to one another.
 9. The method of claim 7 further comprising: detaching each of said framing bars from said framing bar connectors for conveniently shipping said apparatus as a disassembled package.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein: said step of detachably adapting each of said plurality of framing bar to a bar adapting trench further comprising a step of forming a ridge on a trench-wall of a U-shaped trench for engaging an edge of said framing bar adapted therein for preventing said framing bar from inadvertently removed from said U-shaped trench.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein: said step of detachably adapting each of said plurality of framing bar to a bar adapting trench further comprising a step detachably adapting at least one of said framing bar as a V-shaped framing bar including a sheet adapting opening for adapting a thin-layer of material therein whereby said V-shaped framing bar is engaged and pressed by two sidewalls of a U-shaped trench for pressing onto said thin-layer material for securely fixing said thin-layer material in said sheet adapting opening of said V-shaped framing bar.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step: securely adapting and holding said thin-layer material by employing at least two of said V-shaped framing bar detachably adapting in said U-shaped trench.
 13. A shipping package provided for assembling into an apparatus comprising: a plurality of framing bars and framing bar connectors provided for connecting and securely holding said plurality of framing bar at a fixed orientation relative to one another by detachably adapting each said framing bars to aid plurality of framing-bar connectors.
 14. The shipping package of claim 13 wherein: each of said framing bar connectors further including at least a U-shaped adapting trench for detachably adapting and securely holding said framing bars at fixed orientation relative to one another.
 15. The shipping package of claim 13 further comprising: at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding said thin layer material therein.
 16. The shipping package of claim 14 further comprising: at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar is a V-shaped framing bar and includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding said thin layer material therein whereby said V-shaped framing bar is engaged and pressed by two sidewalls of said U-shaped trench for pressing onto said thin-layer material for securely fixing said thin-layer material in said sheet adapting opening of said V-shaped framing bar.
 17. The shipping package of claim 14 wherein: at least a trench wall of said U-shaped trench having a ridge for engaging an edge of said framing bar adapted therein for preventing said framing bar from inadvertently removed from said U-shaped trench.
 18. An assembled apparatus comprising: a plurality of framing bars and framing bar connectors wherein said framing bars are detachably adapted in and securely held by a plurality of framing bar connectors whereby said framing bars are held at a fixed orientation relative to one another.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: each of said framing bar connectors further including at least a U-shaped adapting trench for detachably adapting and securely holding said framing bars at said fixed orientation relative to one another.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising: at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding said thin layer material therein.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising: at least a thin-layer material and wherein at least a framing bar is a V-shaped framing bar and includes a sheet-adapting opening for adapting and securely holding said thin layer material therein whereby said V-shaped framing bar is engaged and pressed by two sidewalls of said U-shaped trench for pressing onto said thin-layer material for securely fixing said thin-layer material in said sheet adapting opening of said V-shaped framing bar.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein: at least a trench wall of said U-shaped trench having a ridge for engaging an edge of said framing bar adapted therein for preventing said framing bar from inadvertently removed from said U-shaped trench.
 23. A framing bar connector comprising: at least two U-shaped adapting trenches for detachably adapting and securely holding at least two framing bars at fixed orientations relative to one another. 